By Ken Afor
Fears have heightened in Abia State following confirmation by the state Police Command of the kidnap of Prof. Godwin Emezue, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of Abia State University (ABSU) Uturu.
In a statement released on Saturday by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Maureen Chinaka, it was confirmed that Prof. Emezue was kidnapped by gunmen around 7:00 pm on Friday while buying fuel at a petrol station in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area (LGA).
According to the statement, “On 26/01/2024, at about 9.30 p.m., the Abia State Police Command received information that on the same date, at about 7 p.m., the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Uturu ABSU, ProfGodwin Emezue, while in the company of his wife in their vehicle, was abducted by hoodlums while purchasing fuel at a petrol station in Umuopara, Umuahia South LGA.
“During the incident, the hoodlums confiscated his wife’s ATM card, dragged the Deputy Vice-Chancellor into a Lexus SUV, and drove away with the victim.
“The Abia State Police Command is deploying resources and assets including intelligence and technical aid towards unravelling the crime, and safely rescuing the victim from his captors.”
The police urged residents in the state “to remain calm and continue their legitimate activities while maintaining vigilance and being security conscious.
“Furthermore, we seek the cooperation of the public, especially by way of providing any useful information that could be helpful in these particular circumstances, and in attaining enhanced security in the state, generally.”
According to The Punch, citing a source from the institution, the abductors have not made any ransom demands.
